Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland still has a solid 56 - 30 percent job approval rating, but his support is
down from 63 - 25 percent in a February 5 survey. Also dropping is public approval of a number
of his education and budget proposals, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Ohio voters disapprove 45 - 39 percent of the way Gov. Strickland is handling the state's
economy, a first for him, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University survey finds.

Ohio voters, by a narrow 46 - 43 percent margin, don't like Gov. Strickland's plan to use
one-time only funds to meet the state's budget gap. By a 75 - 21 percent margin, voters support
the proposal that will be on their November ballot to give those who served in the armed forces
during recent wars up to a $1,000 bonus. Voters also support 64 - 29 percent the Governor's plan
to resume passenger train service between the state's big cities.

"Gov. Strickland's numbers are down from a net 38 percent positive to a net 26 percent
rating in six weeks. The movement is not large, but the fact that support for a number of his
proposals and his handling of the economy is off that much and more is an indication that the
public anxiety over the economy is taking its toll on his support," said Peter A. Brown, assistant
director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The numbers themselves are not
something that the Governor needs to worry about, but the trend, if it were to continue, could
create a political problem for him."

"These numbers are the first indication that Ohio voters are beginning to blame Gov.
Strickland for the bad economy, with only 39 percent of voters approving his performance on the
economy and 45 disapproving. In Quinnipiac University's last poll, February 5, his rating on the
economy was a positive 44 - 37 percent," said Brown.

"His support is weakest among those with lower incomes, less education and younger
voters, who made up the Democratic coalition that elected him governor and Barack Obama
President," added Brown. "The one positive change for Strickland is that support for his plan to
lengthen the school year from 180 days to 200 days over ten years has increased from 51 percent
to 55 percent."

Compared to the February 5 survey, voters are liking the Governor's education proposals
less as time passes. Then, by 42 - 22 percent voters believed that the Governor's plan would
improve education in Ohio. Now, it's almost a wash, with 31 percent thinking that same way, 29
percent saying no, and 40 percent not sure.

Despite the Governor's pledge that his education plan won't raise taxes, three-quarters of
voters expect to pay more in levies, compared to 69 percent who felt that way last month. Almost
that many, 70 percent, think Ohio should require all students to pass the same statewide test to
graduate, up from 66 percent in February. Strickland wants to eliminate the Ohio Graduation Test
as a requirement to get a high school diploma and replace it with a series of other requirements.

"Strickland's decision to use roughly $7 billion from the federal stimulus package and the
state's rainy day fund to close the budget gap does not sit well with voters," said Brown. "The
Republican criticism that he is putting off dealing with the problem and that the state will face
even harder times when that money is not available is striking a chord with many voters."

Despite the drop in public support for his programs and his job performance, Strickland
remains in good shape for re-election, the poll shows. In mythical trial heats he remains ahead of
the two leading candidates for the Republican nomination to oppose him in 2010. Strickland leads
former Congressman and Fox News host John Kasich 51 - 31 percent and former U.S. Sen. Mike
DeWine 50 - 34 percent.

In a GOP primary for that nomination, DeWine leads Kasich 32 - 27 percent, a closer race
than in February when DeWine led 37 - 22 percent.

From March 10- 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,299 Ohio voters, with a margin of
error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. The survey includes 463 Republicans, with a margin of error of
+/-4.6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data and RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. (If registered Republican) As you may know there will be an election for
governor in Ohio in 2010. Thinking about the Republican primary for governor,
if the 2010 Republican primary for governor were being held today and the
candidates were John Kasich, Mike DeWine and Kevin Coughlin, for whom would
you vote?

TREND: (If registered Republican) As you may know there will be an election for
governor in Ohio in 2010. Thinking about the Republican primary for governor,
if the 2010 Republican primary for governor were being held today and the
candidates were John Kasich, Mike DeWine and Kevin Coughlin, for whom would
you vote? (*Someone Else & Wouldn't Vote volunteered options not in option
list)

40. To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, which would
you prefer - raising taxes to keep state services at their current level or
Cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level?

TREND: To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, which would
you prefer - raising taxes to keep state services at their current level or
cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level?

41. Governor Strickland has ruled out raising state taxes to alleviate Ohio's
budget situation. Do you agree with him that taxes should not be raised, or
do you think that some tax increase should be considered?

TREND: Governor Strickland has ruled out raising state taxes to alleviate
Ohio's budget situation. Do you agree with him that taxes should not be raised,
or do you think that some tax increase should be considered?

42. Governor Strickland has offered a new education plan for Ohio that would
affect how schools are funded, how students are taught and how teachers are
trained. How much have you heard or read about Strickland's new education
plan? A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?

TREND: Governor Strickland has offered a new education plan for Ohio that
would affect how schools are funded, how students are taught and how teachers
are trained. How much have you heard or read about Strickland's new education
plan? A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?

TREND: Do you think Governor Strickland's plan will improve education in Ohio
or not?

Mar 17 Feb 5
2009 2009
Yes 31 42
No 29 22
DK/NA 40 36

44. Governor Strickland has said that he will raise the amount of money that
the state gives local school districts, but he will not raise state taxes to
pay for it. Local districts would be allowed to raise taxes, but they would
not have to. If the Governor's plan goes into effect, do you think you will
pay more taxes to support education than you are paying now or not?

TREND: Governor Strickland has said that he will raise the amount of money
that the state gives local school districts, but he will not raise state taxes
to pay for it. Local districts would be allowed to raise taxes, but they would
not have to. If the Governor's plan goes into effect, do you think you will
pay more taxes to support education than you are paying now or not?

Mar 17 Feb 5
2009 2009
Yes/Will 74 69
No/Will not 18 22
DK/NA 9 9

45. Would you be willing to pay more in taxes to increase the amount of money
that goes to schools in Ohio or not?

47. Currently, students must pass the same statewide exam, the Ohio Graduation
Test, to graduate from high school. Do you think that Ohio should require all
students to pass the same statewide test to graduate or don't you think so?

TREND: Currently, students must pass the same statewide exam, the Ohio
Graduation Test, to graduate from high school. Do you think that Ohio should
require all students to pass the same statewide test to graduate or don't you
think so?

Mar 17 Feb 5
2009 2009
Yes 70 66
No 25 30
DK/NA 5 5

48. Governor Strickland wants to increase the school year in Ohio from its
current 180 days to 200 days. The increase would take effect over a 10-year
period. Do you support or oppose increasing the school year to 200 days?

TREND: Governor Strickland wants to increase the school year in Ohio from its
current 180 days to 200 days. The increase would take effect over a 10-year
period. Do you support or oppose increasing the school year to 200 days?

Mar 17 Feb 5
2009 2009
Support 55 51
Oppose 39 42
DK/NA 6 7

49. To balance the state budget Governor Strickland's 2 year proposal uses
about 7 billion dollars of federal and state money that will only be available
this year. Which comes closer to your point of view: using one-time money to
balance the budget is a bad idea because it will lead to a larger deficit in
the future or using one-time money to balance the budget is a good idea
because it will reduce the deficit right now?

50. Voters this November will be asked to approve state paid bonuses of up to
1,000 dollars each for people who served in the armed forces during recent
wars or for their surviving families. The state will borrow about 200 million
dollars to fund this program. Do you support or oppose 1,000 dollar bonuses
for veterans and their families?